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Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: Have you ever thrown a party and were overwhelmed by the gifts that keep on coming? That’s what it’s been like over the last few weeks ever since I shared with you, “25 Of The 50 Things I Learned By The Time I Turned 50.” I explained how I only included 25 of the 50 because I wanted you

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: You’ll never guess who gave me the best Christmas present this year. Turns out it wasn’t my husband. He and I actually don’t do traditional gifts, choosing instead to give each other trips and travel. And no, the best gift did not come from my in-laws, though I am in love with the knee-length denim apron they gave me

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: I learned something new about one of my favorite people in the world this week. By favorite people, I mean my dog. You don’t see dogs as people and think those us who do are on the wrong side of crazy? Save your time, read no more. But if you’re like me and know your dog

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: My husband and I are struggling to find direction. I don’t mean direction like agreeing on common values for our family, how we raise our kids, or where we will retire. No, this struggle is far more immediate and somehow more challenging than that. When I say we’re struggling to find direction, I mean just that, or rather, find

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: Oh yes, I did. Does it count that my intentions were good as a clearly pregnant woman and her husband sat next to me on a long cross country flight last week? I got up from my aisle seat so that they could make it to their seats in the middle and by the window.

“So, where have you been, young lady?” No matter how old we get, there still is some splainin’ to do when you’ve been gone for awhile. I’ve shared before how my husband has this crazy hobby of collecting millions of frequent flyer miles without traveling. Most days of the year, it drives us crazy because he refuses to let us ever use cash. But it does allow us to go on some pretty remarkable trips. We’re just back from taking

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: I told a friend this week to cut off her cat’s leg. Hold on, before you get PETA or mental health officials on your speed dial, let me explain. My friend’s kitty, Eloise, was injured by a dog or some critter who had chomped down on the sweet girl’s back right leg. I certainly wasn’t suggesting my friend

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: I need to go walk my pet chicken. Shoot, I only checked Facebook 12 times today. Better check in, just in case I missed someone’s fascinating update. I wonder if there are any new recipes posted on the cooking blogs I follow? There you have just a few of my

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: It would’ve been so easy to blame all this on my mother-in-law. It was, after all, her chocolate pie recipe that reduced me to tears this week. Looking back, the true challenge was feeling worthy and getting caught up in trying to impress. Maybe you can relate? This started with our neighborhood’s upcoming first ever block party. Our house

Please catch my newspaper column each week in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Dayton Daily News and other newspapers across Ohio. Here’s this week’s column: 10 years later I still can’t believe I did this. But, I guess when your mother catches you keeping one of the biggest secrets of your life, you do as you’re told. Rewind the tape to 2003 when President George W. Bush had declared the US would invade Iraq. If you remember correctly, he just didn’t say exactly when,